Marriage Equality and ONA Status

Most everyone knows by this time that the Supreme Court of the United States is in session this week to argue the constitutionality of State restriction on same-gender marriage. It is widely assumed that SCOTUS will determine State bans unconstitutional and that same-gender marriages will become legal in all fifty States. In Ohio, such a lifting of restrictions is meaningful.

Ohio is a State that currently bans same-gender marriage. If we are right, and if SCOTUS removes State restriction, then same-gender marriage will become legal in Ohio. That may mean that churches, congregations and Temples may be crowded with same-gender couples who looking to legalize their commitment in marriage.

While Shiloh is not officially ONA (the UCC classification of congregations that are "open and affirming" of LGBT persons and issues) the congregation certainly holds to the acceptance of all persons. In fact, when I brought the issue of ONA status, now more than ten years ago, the leadership at Shiloh thought it a misrepresentation of the church's openness to reduce hospitality to ONA distinction. Our welcome went further than the ONA classification. Therefore, the congregation did not consider ONA status.

Now, however, it may be time for Shiloh to reconsider the determination of ONA status. The reason for pursuing such classification is an intentional openness to those couples who may be seeking marriage equality in wake of the Supreme Court decision. If couples consult the UCC website and search for congregations that are ONA, Shiloh would not be included among those churches. That would be an unfortunate exclusion. Even though the ONA policy is limited, it may be time for Shiloh to state at least that portion of its intentional affirmation of all persons.

If SCOTUS outlaws State restrictions on same-gender marriages, Shiloh will have an opportunity to serve a widely rejected population. Statement of ONA status would certainly ease that intentional hospitality.

Assuming that Shiloh accepts LGBT persons among those to whom we are called to extend Christ's radical welcome, this may be the perfect time for the congregation to study, vote upon and demonstrate Christ's love by adopting the ONA stance. While the statement is more limited than Shiloh's affirmation of all persons, this may be the perfect time for us to embrace at least that part of intentional affirmation.

By the way, if SCOTUS should rule against State bans on same-gender marriage, it is likely that such a decision would be rendered sometime around the end of June, 2015, when many of us will be attending the General Synod meeting of the United Church of Christ in Cleveland. It should be one huge celebration!